Stepladder



Patented June 22, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMMETT A. FULLER, OF BENTON, WASHINGTON, ASSIGNOR TO A. S. FOURNIEB, OF

' BENTON, WASHINGTON.

STEPLADDER.

Application filed October 12, 1925. Serial No. 61,988.

My invention relates to improvements in step ladders and the object of my invention is to provide a step ladder embodying a ladder member having a leg portion pivotally connected with the upper end thereof and further having a brace member that is pivot-ally connected with the lower portion of the leg and that is connected by links with the upper portion of the ladder member in such a manner that when the ladder is opened or extended for use the brace forms a very rigid and substantial support between the leg and the ladder member and when the ladder is not in use the brace may be conveniently folded between the leg and ladder member.

Other and more specific objects will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a step ladder constructed in accordance with my invention showing the same opened ready for use;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation showing the step ladder folded; and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view on a smaller scale showing the step ladder extended.

Referring to the drawings, throughout which like reference numerals indicate like parts, 5 designates two spaced upright lad-- der members that are provided with steps 6 extending crosswise therebetween and are further provided at their upper ends with a wider step 7. A transverse support 8 is secured to the rear sides of the upper widened ends of the members 5 just below the rear edge of the top step 7.

A leg composed of two spaced members 10 having upper and lower cross pieces 11 and 12 respectively and having diagonal brace members 13, is secured by hinges 14 to the cross member 8.

A brace member comprising two side pieces 15 connected at their upper ends by a cross bar 16 and provided with diagonal struts 17 is connected by pivots 18 with U shaped clips 19 that are secured to the uprights 10 of the leg member just above the lower cross piece 12. The upper ends of the brace members 15 are connected by p-ivots 20 with the ends of links 21 and the other ends of said links 21 are connected py pivots 22 with the upright ladder memers 5.

WVhen the ladder is folded the brace formed by members 15 will lie between the ladder members 5 and the legs 10 and the links 21 will assume an upwardly inclined position, as shown in Fig. 2. When the ladder is to be opened the bottom ends of the ladder members 5 and leg members 10 are moved apart so that the brace 15 assumes an inclined position and the center of pivot 20 lies below a straight line joining the centers of pivots 18 and 22, the upper ends of brace members 15 abutting squarely against the edges of ladder members 5. When in this position the brace members 15 constitute a rigid and substantial brace that cannot be displaced by use of the ladder or in any way except by exerting a pressure upwardly at or near the location of the pivots 20 to move said pivots 20 until they pass above the center line joining pivots 18 and 22. It will be obvious that any pressure upon the steps 6 will cause the ends of the brace members 15 to be forced against the ladder members 5.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings clearly disclose a preferred embodiment of my invention but it will be understood that this disclosure is merely illustrative and that such changes may be made as are within the spirit of my invention.

I What I claim is:

In a folding step ladder, a ladder memher, a leg hinged to the upper end of said ladder member, a brace pivoted to the lower portion of said leg, and links pivoted at one end to said ladder member and at the other end to the upper end of said brace, the pivot connecting the ends of said linlrs to said brace being below a straight line joining the other pivot of said links and the lower pivot of said brace, and the upper end of said brace abutting against said ladder member when said ladder is extended and said links permitting said brace to be folded between said ladder'member and said leg.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 3rd day of October, A. D. 1925.

EMMETT A. FULLER. 

